Six candidates in race to become Pakistan Under-19 coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to name the head coach of Pakistan Under-19 team on Friday.

According to details, six candidates were shortlisted and interviewed for the role by a two-member committee comprising PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Director Academies Mudassar Nazar.

Sources have revealed that former Pakistan cricketer Ijaz Ahmed, who played 60 Tests and 250 One Day Internationals for Pakistan over a period from 1986 to 2001, is the top contender for this position. Ahmed has worked in the same role for Pakistan junior and senior teams in the past as well.

The other candidates include former Pakistan cricketers Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Razzaq, Atiquz Zaman, Azam Khan and Kabir Khan.

Misbah torn between head coach, chief selector position

Earlier Pakistan batting great Younis Khan had declined the offer to coach Pakistan under-19 team, after the PCB refused to accept his demand of being appointed the chief selector of the side simultaneously.

PCB is keen on following Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Under-19 and A team model, where former cricketer Rahul Dravid was put in charge, which has been effective in nurturing players for the national side.

Pakistan U19 team is currently preparing for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2019 (50-over tournament) which will be played in Sri Lanka from September 5 to September 14, 2019. Pakistan are placed in Group A along with India, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

The training camp starts at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Center, Karachi will start from August 23.